Cannabis Edible Recipes for Beginners: 5 Easy Dishes

Before You Cook: Cannabutter Basics

Every cannabis recipe starts with an infusion. Cannabutter is the most versatile and beginner-friendly option. Once you have a batch of cannabutter in the fridge, you can use it in almost any recipe that calls for regular butter.

The process is straightforward: decarboxylate your cannabis in the oven at 110°C (230°F) for 40 minutes, then simmer it in melted butter on low heat for 2-3 hours, strain out the plant material, and refrigerate. That is it. You now have cannabutter.

Always decarb your cannabis first. Raw cannabis contains THCA, which is not psychoactive. Heating it converts THCA into THC, which is what produces the effects. Skip this step and your edibles will not work.

For these recipes, we are assuming you have made cannabutter with a medium-strength infusion of about 7 grams of flower per cup of butter. Adjust your dosing based on your actual infusion strength.

Not sure about your dose per serving? Use our Dosage Calculator to figure out exactly how many milligrams of THC are in each serving.

1. Cannabis-Infused Brownies

The classic. Brownies are the most popular cannabis edible for good reason: they are easy to make, the chocolate masks the cannabis flavor, and they divide into consistent portions.

The Approach

Use any boxed brownie mix or your favorite brownie recipe. Simply swap out the regular butter for your cannabutter at a 1:1 ratio. Mix, pour into a lined baking pan, and bake at 175°C (350°F) for about 25 minutes.

The key to good cannabis brownies is even distribution. Melt your cannabutter completely before mixing it into the batter, and stir thoroughly so every portion gets an even dose.

Dosing Tip

Cut your brownies into equal-sized pieces and do the math. If your batch contains 980 mg of THC total and you cut 20 brownies, each one has about 49 mg. For most people, cutting the batch into 40 smaller squares at roughly 25 mg each is a much more sensible starting point.

2. Cannabis Gummies

Gummies are great because they are discreet, portable, and you can control the dose per gummy very precisely.

The Approach

You will need flavored gelatin, unflavored gelatin, and cannabis-infused coconut oil (same process as cannabutter, just use coconut oil instead). Heat fruit juice with the gelatin until dissolved, then stir in the infused oil. Pour into silicone molds and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

The trickiest part is keeping the coconut oil from separating from the juice. Adding a small amount of sunflower lecithin helps emulsify the mixture and keeps everything blended.

Dosing Tip

Gummies are perfect for precise dosing. If you use a mold that makes 50 gummies and your total infusion contains 500 mg of THC, each gummy will be approximately 10 mg. Easy math, consistent results.

3. Infused Pasta Sauce

This one surprises people, but cannabis-infused pasta sauce is one of the easiest and most delicious ways to eat your edibles. The fat in the sauce binds perfectly with THC.

The Approach

Make your favorite tomato pasta sauce, or start with a jar from the store. Instead of adding regular olive oil or butter to the sauce, stir in a tablespoon or two of cannabutter while the sauce is warm. The cannabis flavor blends right into the garlic and herbs.

Avoid boiling the sauce aggressively after adding the cannabutter. High heat for extended periods can degrade THC. A gentle simmer is all you need.

Dosing Tip

Calculate how many milligrams are in the amount of cannabutter you added, then divide by the number of servings. One tablespoon of cannabutter from a medium infusion contains roughly 60 mg of THC, so a single tablespoon split across 4 pasta servings gives about 15 mg per plate.

4. Cannabis Hot Chocolate

A warm mug of cannabis hot chocolate is perfect for a cozy evening. The fat in milk and chocolate makes it an ideal carrier for THC.

The Approach

Heat milk in a saucepan (full-fat milk works best for absorption). Add a small amount of cannabutter, about half a teaspoon to a teaspoon per mug, and stir until melted. Add cocoa powder or chocolate chips, sweeten to taste, and warm until everything is smooth and blended.

The cannabis taste is barely noticeable when combined with rich chocolate. Add a splash of vanilla extract or a pinch of cinnamon for extra flavor.

Dosing Tip

Half a teaspoon of cannabutter is roughly 5 grams, which from a medium infusion translates to about 20 mg of THC. For a milder dose, use a quarter teaspoon. Always measure carefully because it is easy to over-pour with a liquid recipe.

5. Medicated Smoothie

Smoothies are the fastest cannabis edible you can make. No cooking required, just blend and drink.

The Approach

Throw your favorite fruits, yogurt, milk, and a spoonful of cannabutter or cannabis-infused coconut oil into a blender. The fat from the yogurt and the infused oil are enough to keep the THC bioavailable. Blend until smooth.

Good combinations include banana, peanut butter, and chocolate with cannabutter, or mango, pineapple, and coconut with infused coconut oil. The strong flavors of fruit and peanut butter cover any cannabis taste.

Dosing Tip

Same math applies. Measure your infused fat carefully, calculate the milligrams based on your infusion strength, and adjust per serving.

General Tips for Cannabis Cooking

• Always decarboxylate your cannabis before infusing it into butter or oil
• Do not cook at temperatures above 175°C (350°F) to avoid degrading THC
• Stir thoroughly for even distribution of the infusion throughout your recipe
• Label everything clearly and keep edibles away from children and pets
• Start with a small portion and wait at least 2 hours before eating more
• Fat is your friend: THC binds to fat, so recipes with butter, oil, or cream work best

For precise calculations on any recipe, try the Dosage Calculator or download